1 Description and objectives of the course

The course will help students to get familiar with the fundamental features of human language, its structure and development, its place in the society, etc. It also introduces linguistics as a science, its history and methodology, with focus on structural linguistics.

2 Language

The course is taught in Czech or English depending on mutual agreement. All course materials (slides, readings, web pages, etc) are in English. Homework, the final exam and the paper can be submitted in English, Czech/Slovak.

3 Readings

Readings (when assigned) are to be read before class. Some of the readings will not be covered in class, but homework and exams will assume that you have read them all.
In most cases, the assigned reading will be from the following (the Library has several copies of the books):

4 Assignments, Tests and Grading

4.1 Homework

On some classes, homework will be assigned. Unless specified otherwise, it will be due by the beginning of the the following class. If it is reasonably easy to type it in a textprocesor, send it by e-mail as an attachment (use PDF, MS Word or plain text). Otherwise you can email a scan or bring it to class. Please write legibly.

When emailing, use the following subject "NPFL063 HW "

You can use English or Czech/Slovak.

It is a good idea to work on homework in a group of two or three people (write who you worked with at the top of the page). However you have to write it up individually, in your own words. Each homework assignment will be graded on a scale 0-100%. Incorrect answers are better than no answers.

4.3 Exam

There will be an in-class final exam. You can bring and use any notes or literature, but you have to work on your own.

You can use English or Czech/Slovak. Even mixing the languages is allowed (e.g., using English terminology in Czech sentences).

4.4 Active class participation

"Active participation" refers to your comments and questions during class, your answers to my questions, etc. I do not keep track of whether your answers, etc. are correct, but simply whether or not you participate.
If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get reliable notes from a fellow student.

4.5 Grading

You need to submit all homework assignments, the article and final to get a grade.

Homework

0-20

Article

0-30

Final

0-40

Active class participation

0-10

Total:

0-100

Grade

Points

1

90-100

2

76-89

3

60-75

4

0-59

4.5 Late submissions

Late submissions are automatically penalized in the following way:

Homework

up to one week late

20%

more than one week late

80%

Article

one week late

20%

more than one week late

50%

However, if you see you cannot meet a deadline, talk to me about it before the deadline and most likely we can find a later deadline when you can submit without any penalty.

5 Schedule and Handouts

The schedule below is preliminary and can slightly change. If I update a handout, I will add the date of the update in parentheses.